The Massacre
08-18-2006, 05:48 PM
30 Questions That'll Shape the Season
from Collegefootballnews.com - i know must of their stuff sucks but i'm bored.
http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Columnists/RC/30KeyQuestions_1_15.htm
10. Is this the year Nebraska begins its return to glory?
Well, it’s sure to be a different sort of glory than the four-decade run of dominance under Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne, but you get the feeling the Huskers have slowly begun to turn the corner under Bill Callahan. This is one of the more compelling storylines worth watching in 2006. Ever since getting thumped by Kansas last Nov. 5, the program has picked up a head steam of steam, winning three straight, beating Michigan in the Alamo Bowl and compiling another strong recruiting class. With the wind at their back, Nebraska is the favorite to represent the North in the Big 12 Championship game and has a chance to move into the league’s No. 3 hole behind Texas and Oklahoma. In Year 2 in the West Coast offense, Zac Taylor is poised for a breakout season and the front seven could be dominant. Big Red may be ready for a big return to the national spotlight.
1. Can Texas repeat with a freshman under center?
You don’t get better by losing Vince Young, but if you believe the ‘Horns are about to suffer some kind of a collapse, you’re way too VY-centric. Texas remains loaded just about everywhere and finally has an off-season swagger, but Young’s heir apparent is going to be, well, young. Not-yet-drinking-age young. Thanks to an extra year in the system, redshirt freshman Colt McCoy is the favorite, but true freshman Jevan Snead has the rifle to mount a challenge next month. What does all this mean? 1. The champs will be a whole lot easier to defense than the last two years. 2. Backs Selvin Young, Jamaal Charles and Henry Melton better focus on conditioning and 3. Texas is still a Top 5 team with as good a shot as anyone of ending 2006 in Arizona on Jan. 8.
25. Is the once vast gap between the Big 12 North and the Big 12 South about to narrow?
Maybe, but not quite enough to make things entirely equitable for some time. The South has ruled the North like Mussolini the last two years, winning 29 of 38 games, however, there's optimism that a slight shift is about to occur. No doubt, the South is mighty up top with national title contenders Texas and Oklahoma and Top 25 regular Texas Tech, yet the North figures to be more competitive in 2006 and beyond. Nebraska has its best team in years, and Iowa State is fringe Top 25. Missouri has the talent to surprise this fall and Colorado got better the moment they signed Dan Hawkins. Growing pains will precede better days at Kansas and Kansas State. Baby steps, but a narrower divide nonetheless.
16. Which true freshman will make the biggest splash in 2006?
Today’s true freshman is more prepared and more eager to contribute than ever before. And he’s bigger, faster and stronger than his predecessors. Keep your redshirt. He’d rather play right now. Plenty will get their wish in 2006. Quarterback: Matthew Stafford (Georgia), Jevan Snead (Texas), Mitch Mustain (Arkansas), Isiah Williams (Illinois) and Josh Freeman (Kansas State) are all capable of winning the starting job in Year 1. Running back: C.J. Spiller (Clemson) didn’t turn down 50 other offers to sit on the sidelines. Chris Wells (Ohio State) showed in the spring that he’s going to be a monster. Either Stafon Johnson or Emmanuel Moody (USC) might fill the gaping void left by the departures of Reggie Bush and LenDale White. Defense: Safety Myron Rolle (Florida State) is a budding superstar that does everything well. Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) is the next great interior lineman in Norman. Sergio Kindle (Texas) is physically ready to contribute immediately at strongside linebacker.
from Collegefootballnews.com - i know must of their stuff sucks but i'm bored.
http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Columnists/RC/30KeyQuestions_1_15.htm
10. Is this the year Nebraska begins its return to glory?
Well, it’s sure to be a different sort of glory than the four-decade run of dominance under Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne, but you get the feeling the Huskers have slowly begun to turn the corner under Bill Callahan. This is one of the more compelling storylines worth watching in 2006. Ever since getting thumped by Kansas last Nov. 5, the program has picked up a head steam of steam, winning three straight, beating Michigan in the Alamo Bowl and compiling another strong recruiting class. With the wind at their back, Nebraska is the favorite to represent the North in the Big 12 Championship game and has a chance to move into the league’s No. 3 hole behind Texas and Oklahoma. In Year 2 in the West Coast offense, Zac Taylor is poised for a breakout season and the front seven could be dominant. Big Red may be ready for a big return to the national spotlight.
1. Can Texas repeat with a freshman under center?
You don’t get better by losing Vince Young, but if you believe the ‘Horns are about to suffer some kind of a collapse, you’re way too VY-centric. Texas remains loaded just about everywhere and finally has an off-season swagger, but Young’s heir apparent is going to be, well, young. Not-yet-drinking-age young. Thanks to an extra year in the system, redshirt freshman Colt McCoy is the favorite, but true freshman Jevan Snead has the rifle to mount a challenge next month. What does all this mean? 1. The champs will be a whole lot easier to defense than the last two years. 2. Backs Selvin Young, Jamaal Charles and Henry Melton better focus on conditioning and 3. Texas is still a Top 5 team with as good a shot as anyone of ending 2006 in Arizona on Jan. 8.
25. Is the once vast gap between the Big 12 North and the Big 12 South about to narrow?
Maybe, but not quite enough to make things entirely equitable for some time. The South has ruled the North like Mussolini the last two years, winning 29 of 38 games, however, there's optimism that a slight shift is about to occur. No doubt, the South is mighty up top with national title contenders Texas and Oklahoma and Top 25 regular Texas Tech, yet the North figures to be more competitive in 2006 and beyond. Nebraska has its best team in years, and Iowa State is fringe Top 25. Missouri has the talent to surprise this fall and Colorado got better the moment they signed Dan Hawkins. Growing pains will precede better days at Kansas and Kansas State. Baby steps, but a narrower divide nonetheless.
16. Which true freshman will make the biggest splash in 2006?
Today’s true freshman is more prepared and more eager to contribute than ever before. And he’s bigger, faster and stronger than his predecessors. Keep your redshirt. He’d rather play right now. Plenty will get their wish in 2006. Quarterback: Matthew Stafford (Georgia), Jevan Snead (Texas), Mitch Mustain (Arkansas), Isiah Williams (Illinois) and Josh Freeman (Kansas State) are all capable of winning the starting job in Year 1. Running back: C.J. Spiller (Clemson) didn’t turn down 50 other offers to sit on the sidelines. Chris Wells (Ohio State) showed in the spring that he’s going to be a monster. Either Stafon Johnson or Emmanuel Moody (USC) might fill the gaping void left by the departures of Reggie Bush and LenDale White. Defense: Safety Myron Rolle (Florida State) is a budding superstar that does everything well. Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) is the next great interior lineman in Norman. Sergio Kindle (Texas) is physically ready to contribute immediately at strongside linebacker.